Pretty cool video. Bradley is beautiful in this, as is Lana.
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Beach House.
I guess everyone has a band or two (or in my case..five) that give them this really strange feeling. Have you ever been in love? It’s alright, isn’t it? Well, so I’ve heard. It’s a chore, never a pleasure. Like a lot of things. Yet, when I listen to Beach House I get this really odd feeling. They make me feel like I am in love, I’m really not. But they give me that heightened feeling that people spend their lives breaking their backs and losing their self-respect for. I find it all in Beach House. Maybe it is because Victoria’s voice is so peaceful and comforting. That’s what love should be, right? Peaceful and comforting. My views on love and romance lead me to disappointment. Expect nothing and carry on.
I have no idea where I am going with this. I think I just, at close to midnight, feel the need to write about Beach House. I think this is going to be far too personal. As I write this, the view from the window is of a bed of water with the town’s lights reflecting onto it. I’m listening to Beach House and as I am doing so, I am attempting to figure shit out. I am trying to sort out my life and what I want. Most people do this at a more suitable hour. However, I feel stupidly awake and my body is telling me to sleep. I just don’t listen to what I should.
Nearly two weeks ago, I left home (again) in an attempt to sort my life out. To find a job and make something of my life. You’d think at aged 25 I’d have something solid going for me, right? Wrong. I don’t. I own nothing of worth, I am possibly not of worth (it depends when you ask me..if its a good day-I’ll be fine.) I have no idea. Self-doubt keeps me going. I function in a way I know that I shouldn’t. I want answers but I have no idea if I’ve asked the questions yet. I know nothing. You cannot know a thing at aged 25. Or even 35. You constantly learn and grow. I don’t know what I need, but I know what I want. I use Beach House to guide me towards something. I’m not sure what. So, as I type this looking at the water and the lights I am trying to figure it all out.
Myth was released by the band nearly two weeks ago. The day I left home. I played it over and over before I left for the airport. Inside, I was close to crying like a baby. Outside, I was keeping it together. Just another poor way of functioning, I know. I know. The way in which Victoria sings, “Help me to make it.” Just made me feel less alone and less scared. I am fucking petrified of failing again. I cannot do it. But, with songs like Myth I feel like I could possibly get there you know? Maybe it will work out. I’m responsible if it does, and I’m responsible if it doesn’t.
I remember when I first heard The Cure’s record, Seventeen Second. I had this feeling. It went beyond anything and everything. I felt it in a part of me that I think a loved one is meant to tap into. That’s never happened to me. I found it in that record, and I got that EXACT feeling when I first heard Beach House. They are a band that give you so much feeling that you just cannot describe, you just feel it. I’m sure if I saw them live I would just bawl all the way through. It’s not like they saved my life, but they gave me some kind of strength and/or courage to ignore everything and do what is right for me.
I remember playing Take Care when I walked home when I found out my mum had breast cancer. Every word made so much sense, and every single word broke my heart. You want to be someone’s rock and take it all away- but you’re unsure how. You’re unsure, but you find comfort in a song that feels like a blanket, a shield from pain.
Beach House are not a band you just listen to and forget about. They are a band that become a constant. A part of your life that makes sense. They become that best friend at 4am when you’ve got nothing. You play their music when you go for a walk and get lost. You don’t care that you are lost because Beach House have found that part of you that no one ever else could. To love them, is to love them with everything you have. Every part of your love is reserved for this duo. You cannot imagine your life or record collection without them.
Teen Dream was a big thing for me. It was the soundtrack to so much. For me, they are just like Warpaint. What I mean is, they are a sacred band to me. I cannot listen to Warpaint in the company of anyone. I cannot listen to Beach House with anyone. I just have to shut my eyes or shut the world out. It is an experience I cannot imagine sharing with anyone. I mean sure if I fell in love, I’d probably want to play Beach House to her. Then I’d play some NWA afterwards. Just to balance it all out.
I’ve heard some of the tracks off Bloom, and hand on heart- I can safely say this will be the most beautiful record to come out this year. If Warpaint put their record out this year too, I’ll feel the same. For me, Beach House just give me hope. You must ALWAYS have hope. Without hope you have nothing. You have to hope you get to where you want to be. You have to hope you get what you want, and what you deserve. You have to keep hope alive in order to keep the dream alive. Whatever the dream may be, you’ve got to keep it alive.
This has turned out to be horrifically personal. You can put it down to me being utterly tired. My post-London emotional hangover not leaving me alone, or the fact that I’m a shit writer who is far too personal. Make up your own mind- but go listen to Beach House. Listen to them the way I am right now. Looking at water with reflections of light bouncing off. You will feel at peace, you will feel calm. You will feel. They are a band that you cannot compare any other band to. No one else sounds like them, and they sound like no one else. They say perfection doesn’t exist- bullshit. Beach House exist, and so does perfection. It is like an outer body experience. A high you never want to come down from, and why on earth would you want to.
I could say so much more about Beach House, but like I said- you cannot describe it; you just feel it.
I really don’t know what I’d do without Beach House. They create such beautiful music that makes you feel like you can do anything, be anything. They also make you feel alright when everything seems to be wrong. The words, the voice, the music- it all transports you into a glorious dreaming state. Nothing can touch you. Snapping out of it isn’t exactly wonderful, but it causes everything to make sense eventually.
Garbage-Blood For Poppies.
If you trawl the internet, you will find a new track from one of my favourite bands of all time.
Blood For Poppies has caused my body to have some kind of spasm. I cannot feel a thing. I feel stuck. I don’t want to move. I just want to keep playing this over and over. I don’t want anything else to be blaring into my ears right now apart from this song.
What does Blood For Poppies sound like? It sounds like Garbage in the 90s. Aggressive, loud, passionate and unapologetic. I say it sounds like them in the 90s, but they have ALWAYS sounded like this. This is why I love them. They say all the things I probably don’t have the guts to say right now, but it is still there. They say the things that I just wish I could drag out of my tongue, but for some reason I just can’t. Shirl says it better than I ever could anyway.
I’m not putting the link up here just incase it isn’t meant to be out yet, but you’re not stupid. If you want to hear it, you’ll find your own way of doing so right?
I cannot wait to go out and buy their new record. I’m determined to be really mental and take out a loan so I can follow them on a tour. I’d love to do that, and write about it. But, my guess is that the bank would laugh at me and tell me to go away. Typical.
What you need to know is this. Garbage are back. They are just as important as before, and I am so confident that their new record will just show how vital they are, and that their time away was worth it. It has ached not having a new Garbage record in so long, but there is no way in Hell that the new record, Not Your Kind Of People will be nothing short of stunning and probably inspiring.
Butch, Shirl, Steve, Duke; I am ready for you to change my life once more.
The Horrors live was too much.
Of all the things I should be doing and shouldn’t be doing, I just do not know where this fits in. Nothing or no one ever really fits in, if you think about it. But, then again if you keep thinking about it you will riddle yourself with a headache and probably a heartache to match. They usually go together, they fit. Certain things do. Certain things just go well together. In your head, you think YOU and that person you cannot stop thinking about just fit. You know the one. Or maybe, it is things like whiskey and coke that just fit so well together. Or maybe it’s THOSE shoes with THAT pair of jeans. Certain things just fit so perfectly. I have no idea where I am going with this, but I know I’m in the midst of a “post-London emotional hangover.” I spent the week in London, and whilst there I saw The Horrors support Florence. I thought I was okay with life afterwards, I really thought I had got over just how perfect it was. Truth be told? I’m not.
So here’s the thing, since very early 2006 I fell instantly in love with a band. A band that dressed how I wish people still dressed. They had big hair and a loud sound. I felt like I had found the band I’d sell my soul to see live. Every tour that they announced from 2006 onwards, something or someone just got in the way. “I can’t afford a ticket.” Or “I don’t like them.” There were other reasons too, but..last Saturday the excuses ended. My wait was over. Most that were at Ally Pally were just dying to see Florence. I’ve seen her 5 times, and as much as I love her..it was ALL about The Horrors for me. All the wine and whiskey I had beforehand couldn’t calm me. It made it worse. However, as soon as they walked on stage I felt as if something took over. I was in some kind of trance. I felt like I was falling into a deep sleep. I sang every single word as if my life depended on it. I swayed like Rhys does with his bass. My eyes shut and I saw my own piece of Heaven in my mind. I opened my eyes and I could see the 5 musicians that just changed everything for me. Everything for that half an hour just seemed so perfect. I didn’t take any notice of the 10,000 people who were in the room. I didn’t care that none of them were singing and swaying like I was. I was in my own little world watching my favourite band. I want to feel like that forever.
So what am I getting at with this? I have no idea. I really don’t. Do I want you to think about how long you’ve waited to see your favourite band live and what it does to you? Has this ever happened to you, and you never recovered from it? I’ve not recovered from this. I never ever will. I don’t think I want to.
When you are face to face with a band that means the world to you, you feel like you are of worth. It is a bloody struggle to feel like you matter. I guess I’m at that point now where I know what and who matters to me. But, I will never know what or who I matter to. That will never happen, I will never know. With music, I’ve always found a home and a purpose. A solid ground, something to just call mine. Music will give you what nothing or no one else ever can. How do I know? Well, I found this out properly last Saturday night. Even if nothing ever goes my way again, I can keep with me that I’ve seen the band that got me through Uni and a bunch of other stuff live. I waited it out, and I didn’t give up hope that I’d see them.
The way they all played just blew me away. They didn’t have to say anything to the crowd. I didn’t want them to, I just wanted to hear the songs that I’ve been waiting years to hear. There was nothing from Strange House, and although it hurts that I’ll never hear it live- what I did witness live just made me so fucking glad to be breathing. Mirror’s Image is a song that I seem to associate with those I am fond with, but not to the point where it ruins the song. Far from it. If anything, it just helps with letting the person go and stops me from beating myself up from not saying anything to them. Forever biting my tongue, I don’t know how I have one anymore. Watching this song live meant the world to me. Oh, and Sea Within A Sea live is the most euphoric thing I have ever and may ever see live. Every part of me just came alive.
This is why I love live music. I was singing, swaying and crying. The tears were of just sheer joy. I know exactly where I would be if I didn’t have this feeling keeping me going. I moved back to England recently to finally sort myself out. I have my good days, I have my bad days. But I learnt something from The Horrors the other night. I learnt that, you just have to wait it out. If you want something, you’ve got to wait for it. Until it is time. 10th March 2012 was my time to see them..and from now on? Well, I have no idea but I’m sought comfort in music. Maybe I’ll find the answers. Maybe I won’t. I don’t know, and because I don’t know- it will keep me going.
Florence + The Machine, The Horrors and the death of my soul..last night.
I’m not going to review this amazing night in your typical fashion. If you’re going to any of the dates, you will be having the time of your life. If you have been already, you know how amazing it was. Jesus…”amazing” isn’t even the word. There are no words.
Alpines need a mention. They were STUNNING. I’ve always had a thing for duos that make a shitload of noise, and have an amazing stage presence. Also, Romy from The xx was stood in front of us watching them. Pretty damn cool.
I’ll get to the point- seeing The Horrors last night has completed a part of me that really needed it. You see, for the past 6 years I have been a HUGE fan of The Horrors. When I first heard Sheena Is A Parasite, I think it was like having some kind of strange experience that hasn’t happened before. This happened with every single record. Strange House, Primary Colours and more recently, Skying have all played a huge part in my life. As much as I love Florence, most of my excitement was firmly directed towards seeing Tom, Faris, Rhys, Joe and Josh. How a kid feels at Christmas was exactly how I felt last night. This intense and euphoric build-up was happening inside of me. They walked onto the stage and opened with Mirror’s Image. That song means far too much to me, it is on a par with She Is The New Thing- reminding me foolishly of anyone I may like at that specific time. However, thankfully I wasn’t reminded of anyone tonight. I didn’t think of anything but those 5 amazing musicians on stage that were singing the songs that mean so much to me. The stage presence they all have is just astounding. Josh kills the guitar. I do not trust anyone who cannot see how he is one of the best guitarists around. Tom plays the synths in such an eloquent manner- he indeed is a “frail gentleman.” Joe is one underrated drummer. The way he just plays makes me wish I could play the drums. Rhys sways like he is in some magical trance. As I was watching them, I could see myself starting to move like Rhys and singing every word as if they were written for me. Faris has a presence that causes you to be unable to tear your away from him. He grabs the mic stand and pulls at it in a fury that makes you want to do the same to the person in front of you. Does that make any sense? No? It’s okay, just go see them then you will understand. Oh, and Flo joined them on stage for Still Life. I cannot put it into words. I just can’t because when I think about it I get a bit emotional.
So, I should mention FATM now.
When I first saw her live, it was in a tiny room. About 200 people and she danced next to us during the support act. Now she is selling out arenas in a matter of minutes. One thing I’ve learnt from watching her become this amazing superstar is that, if you want something- you work your fucking arse off to get it. You just do not stop. Every single time I have seen her live, it has always felt like some kind of religious experience. When you see her once, you have to keep on seeing her. Once just isn’t enough. I hate writing gig reviews because I have no idea how to do it, all I can do is just sum up how the gig made me feel. The last 4 times I have seen her, it has always been close to something shit happening or me feeling a bit like poop. This time, not the case. Well, aside from having the worst cold ever and a now sexy cough to match- that’s all. Of course certain songs just caused me to have a bit of a cry. That note in No Light, No Light. The keyboard solo in Rabbit Heart. The bit where it really kicks in during What The Water Gave Me. The sheer beauty of Never Let Me Go. All of this and more just makes it feel like you are being cleansed. Your body, mind and soul is being rid of all the bad feelings you have and that horrific feeling of self-doubt just slips away from you as you watch FATM. You feel part of something, you feel as if she is singing the songs to save you. Heartlines keeps you going when nothing or no one else can. It is like a crutch. It is a crutch.
I could write so much more about this, but what good does it do? None at all. I’m just some rambling fool that saw three amazing bands last night and is probably in some kind of weird trance still.
I’ve re-read all I have written about this, and I feel I have so much more I could say. I want to tell you how horrific it is to you find your way to and from Ally Pally. I want to explain to you how at a FATM gig you get people from all walks of life there. There is no certain type of person there. We are all there for one reason, and one reason only- we love the music. However, I did get annoyed at the drunken idiot stood behind me who only knew the words to Shake It Out but still managed to balls it up! I didn’t care that the drinks were over-priced, what do you expect anyway?! When we walked into the venue it looked like a mini festival. A guy was playing drums on a bike, food stalls, a photobooth in the style of a black cab- yes, we used it. Best £5 I’ve ever spent!
It was so much more than just a gig. It was some kind of community thing going on. Truly beautiful. Like I said earlier, when I go see FATM it is always ALWAYS like some kind of religious experience. I feel like I am feeling the best feeling in the world. Some of it is still a blur. I just cannot believe after waiting 6 years, I have finally seen The Horrors live.
Beach House-Myth.
This has to be SUPER fast as I have to go finish packing and get on a plane in a couple hours. Bye old life, time to start a new one. Well, that’s my intention anyway. I think I’ve found the song to save my soul and make me feel like maybe..just maybe..I can do whatever I want with my life for once and ACTUALLY succeed. I can always count on Beach House to give me this calming feeling, like I could be of worth. I’ll work on that. There’s always someone and something better, but I’m teaching myself to put myself first and make myself happy. I think I’m doing okay.
I’ll be just fine, because of this song. This song is everything right now. Trust me. It is EVERYTHING. I’ll cling onto it even when my grip becomes weak and I have no idea what is going on. That’s what I always use Beach House for. Victoria’s voice is as perfect as ever. This is just setting in stone that their new record will again be, the record of the year. But please- do not let it be overlooked like Teen Dream was. Do you have any idea how perfect that record was? It always will be. Beach House make you feel like you are in love, even if you are alone. They give you the ability to feel something so pure, innocent and life changing.
I can feel something happening as I listen to this. Maybe it is the panic of “OH SHIT WHERE’S MY PASSPORT” or maybe…maybe I know it is all going to be okay.
Norah Jones-Happy Pills.
I didn’t like Norah’s music when she first came out. See, I get bored easily. The first record didn’t do anything for me. I have no idea why because now..NOW! Now I can see how beautiful it is. It seems the more records she puts out, the more I love her music. The last record she had out just blew me away, and I have every bit of confidence that her new one, Little Broken Hearts (out start of May) will probably blow me away again.
Happy Pills is SO GOOD. I don’t even want to write about it. I don’t have the words. You can listen to it here :
If someone’s pissed you off today, you can have this song. You can have this song to make you feel better knowing you don’t have to deal with those idiots anymore!
Camila Grey.
I wrote this about a week ago..maybe a bit longer? I lose track. Me and the concept of time just do not go together at all. I don’t own a watch. I just don’t like having to schedule stuff. Anyway, I wrote this little thing about Cam from Uh Huh Her. Except what I wanted to do was write about her as musician. Not as..well, anything but I guess. You know what happened? BAD SHIT HAPPENED. I was called various things and got some wonderfully shit messages from people who evidently took this the wrong way. You see, they failed to see that I was writing about a musician and just got mad possessive over an actress that USED to be in The L Word. Oh, and just so we’re clear- The L Word was a TV show. Shane was a fictional character, she doesn’t exist. You are not her, so please lesbians- stop trying to act like her. However, I’m aware that many try to emulate this character in order to get some vagina. Be yourself. That’s more attractive (however, I’m constantly myself and no one wants to know but..hey, why listen to me right?!) It pissed me off because I stupidly put a lot into writing about Cam. I admire and respect her, as a musician. Yes I know she is highly attractive (as is Leisha, I know.) But I wrote it as a profile of a musician that’s been around for some time now, and I personally felt that her work needed to be recognised. Not just as a member of Uh Huh Her. However, it turns out I was wrong to do that because some that cling onto The L Word had a problem. So, I deleted it. I thought, why should I even bother. I’ll just stick to writing about Garage Rock bands or whatever and leave out anything else. FUCK THAT. I’ve changed some parts, and this is staying. If you cannot see that this is about a musician called Camila Grey- then don’t read it. Just don’t bother. If you feel the need to slag this off, why bother? Go do something productive with your time rather than missing the point on something purely innocent.
So here, have some kind of article about a musician that I just admire, that’s all. Let’s try do this without the negativity from some, alright?
I guess I could’ve just written this about the band, but let’s be honest most know who Leisha Hailey is and what her past music endeavours were (The Murmurs then re-named Gush in 2001..) But, I feel for some horrible reason people are lacking their knowledge on Camila Grey. So, as I am a sadcase who has no life- I’m going to write about her. And guess what? I won’t be mentioning how hot she is. It’s about the music right now, but yes..she is very beautiful. Anyone with eyes can see that.
So here’s what you need to know. Cam isn’t just some beautiful woman prancing about with instruments. Oh no, she’s not like that. Actually, before I go into detail about her past music deal, I’m going to mention something that caused me to have a mild fit. I was watching an interview of Cam a while ago, and she was mentioning bands she liked. I kind of already knew she probably had a solid music taste judging by the music she makes. So, she lists a couple of bands then BAM! She mentions a band that I have loved since I was a baby. I had their music played to me at a very young age, and partially the reason as to why I’ve always been drawn to lyrics. She mentioned The Fall. Camila Greys digs THE FALL. Fucking..Mark E Smith. She is a fan of one of the best bands to have EVER come from Manchester. You really cannot imagine my reaction to this. I felt like someone had told me I had won the lottery or some shit. I think I yelled “FUCK OFF!!!” at the computer as she said it. I couldn’t get my head around it. You never really hear someone mention The Fall anymore, I have no idea why as they are such a vital band. Mark E Smith’s way with words is hilarious and accurate, for someone who I think is nothing short of amazing to mention The Fall? No words. Honestly. Oh, and she collects vinyl- so combine all these factors and you pretty much have my favourite person in life that I have never met. Just watch this clip :
Right, I’ve had my brief outburst as to why I personally think she’s amazing. Now I’ll be a bit more “professional.” Oh, before I continue- I stand by my wish to sit in a pub with her and discuss The Fall. I own a few albums on vinyl, and I think her and I need to discuss The Fall together. Can someone make it happen? Thanks.
Cam was educated at Berklee College of Music. She met her former band mate of Mellowdrone (listen to them, seriously they were/are pretty damn good) Jonathan Bates there. She’s worked with Busta Rhymes, in my head this means she has done a rap album with him full of mental freestyles over blues samples..and it has yet to be released. The world isn’t ready. This is what goes on in my head, and sometimes I worry myself. Would be pretty cool if we ever heard Cam rap, right? Oh wait..what?
I think this justifies my idea that she has done a rap album with Dr.Dre and Busta. And as you know, she also toured with Adam Lambert. I think he may have rapped on the record too. Probably did a little beatbox freestyle. This has to happen. Can we make this happen? I know I said I was going to be “professional” with this, but I’ve clearly messed that up.
Alright, so what I love about Cam (I don’t want you to think I don’t love Leisha, because I do. I just think more need educating about Camila, that’s all. No bad feelings here.) I love that you can tell she fucking loves music. You read any interview, watch any live performance or read any interview- you can just feel the pure passion she has for music. I got into Uh Huh Her’s music in the summer of 2008. I have no idea how I found their music but I know I was listening to them before I ever watched The L Word. That’s right, I am such a SHIT lesbian. I heard Common Reaction and just thought it was an incredible debut record. I didn’t even know Leisha was in the band. I watched the video to Not A Love Song and thought..”SHE LOOKS FAMILIAR!!! Oh wait..there’s a unicorn.” The fake unicorn impressed me more than it probably should. And because of that, I now stick ice cream cones on the heads of horses… I don’t, just in case any anti-animal cruelty people come knocking. I’m a vegetarian, I love animals. Probably more than I love people. Animals are more loving and compassionate aren’t they. So yeah, I didn’t know Leisha had a band. So I read up about Uh Huh Her, got the record and fell insanely in love. I think I played Common Reaction to death, however I never ever listen to Dreamer. That song ruins me. I don’t care that I’m a stable person now, but listening to that song can make me just fall to pieces. I can’t think about it. Wait Another Day is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, and I think I now hate how much I can currently sort of relate to it.
After hearing Common Reaction, I went back and listened to their EP, I See Red. The title track is probably my favourite by the band. Although, if you play Another Case to me..I’ll probably do anything you want. Within reason. Oh, and Explode makes me think every single part of me is going to just combust. In short, the band mean a hell of a lot to me. However, when I listen to them at the gym I really don’t enjoy Debris coming on when I’m on the rowing machine and an attractive woman is near me on the treadmill. That song wasn’t made for that kind of situation. It always seems to creep up on me at times where it shouldn’t. But I just love how it has a Grunge feel to it. The guitar..good lord the guitar. That alone is enough to send me funny. If they do this when I see them in April (SHEPARDS BUSH!!) I’ll probably have to leave the room.
Although they’re not hugely popular, I mean who cares- but with a band like Uh Huh Her, you do NEED them in your life. What I admired about them the most is how they self-funded Nocturnes (one of the best records of 2011) It also showed just how loyal their fan base is..even if some are partial to yelling “I LOVE YOU ALICE” at gigs. If that happens on the 24th April, I will NOT be responsible for my actions at all. It’s just disrespectful more than anything.
Have I spoken about Camila enough? I haven’t? Okay. I love her voice. It has a seductive but gentle feel to it. I feel like a right arse typing that, but it is true..isn’t it? Her voice can sound so delicate on some tracks, yet on others she sounds so…I don’t even know what the word is. Just listen to Criminal..then go listen to I See Red. You should be able to get the general gist of what I am getting at. Oh and also she absolutely and amazingly mothereffin’ KILLS the guitar. It is seriously enough to make you want to grab the nearest person to you, and get up in their face and yell “WHY IS THIS THE MOST PERFECT THING I HAVE EVER HEARD.” My friends are already concerned about my welfare and general behaviour at the gig in April. It’s okay. So long as I have a bit of whiskey and a fruit tea, I’ll be totally fine. It’s just after the gig that could be the problem. I’ll compare everything in life to it, and just end up experiencing disappointment. Something which I force myself to never feel, it’s been working just fine in my 25 years on this planet.
So there you have it. A brief rambling as to why I love Camila Grey and as to why she is a bloody incredible musician. I don’t think I’ve done her justice have I? But all I can do is write as a fan who adores those who make amazing music. When you feel some kind of connection to a band, you feed off the love they have for what they do- and it makes you believe in them, and yourself even more. What I learnt from Uh Huh Her, especially with regard to the second album is that you should never EVER compromise who you are to get what you want. Do it your way, and only your way because it is the only way you will reach any kind of satisfaction with yourself, and what you do.
The 13th Pillar.
I’m writing this for two reasons. 1- the band are fucking AMAZING and 2- the guitarist is my Uncle.
As I’ve mentioned in a few things I’ve written, my Uncle has gotten me into some bands. Bands that have changed my life, saved my life and given it meaning. I have no idea what my life would be like if I didn’t ever get familiar with Captain Beefheart, Velvet Underground and Nick Cave. His music taste is pretty much perfect. I guess you can call this a wee thank you to him for the music he’s given me. So I’m returning the favour by writing about his band.
I don’t feel weird writing this. No one has told me to do it. I just think it is time. Given that I listen to mainly Garage rock, this just has to be done. This music will creep you out. Everything about this is just everything I love. This is the kind of music that makes you think you’re in the 60s wearing your beaten leather jacket avoiding eye contact with people you don’t like. It is just so bloody perfect.
My favourite track off the record is C’mon Chicken. It is so sinister. I want to hear in the midst of a murder scene in some gruesome and piss poor horror film. You know the kind. If I had my way (and I guess you’re lucky I never will) The 13th Pillar would be as big as half the mainstream shit you are forced to listen to. DON’T GIVE INTO IT! GO listen to these guys, you need them.
If you love the atmosphere you get from The Jesus And Mary Chain, the bluesy feeling you get from the Velvet Underground. The way a certain vocal stays with you, or how a riff just makes your soul feel like it has been shaken to the very core, a bass-line that makes you want to throw your limbs about, a drum-beat that makes you nod your head so much you feel like you’ve developed a twitch- this is the band for you.
I’d listen to these guys even if the guitarist wasn’t my Uncle. If a friend of mine heard a band and thought, “That’s a Olivia band!” They’d say it about The 13th Pillar for sure.
http://the13thpillar.bandcamp.com/
Listen to them. Love them.
The Kills-Baby Says.
When Blood Pressures came out last year, it was all I listened to. For a solid week it was all I cared for. Thing is, it still is. I play it every single day now. I play every album by The Kills every single day. I just have to do it. If I get to about 9pm and I haven’t heard anything by them, I stop what I’m doing and just go listen to them. They go beyond being a band to me. Blood pressures is a perfect record. There’s gritty moments, there’s soft moments. Like all their records. With each of their records, I’ve always found one or two songs that utterly captivate me in ways I didn’t know a song could. Then I heard Baby Says.
I know they have over 10 years worth of material. All the B-Sides, albums, covers..they have so much. So why did it take a song from their most recent album to have such an impact on me? What is it about Baby Says that just makes it one of Alison and Jamie’s strongest tracks? It is because the lyrics are nothing like I have ever heard before? Is it how wonderfully Jamie plays the guitar during the song? Is it their voices? All of this, plus much more? Of course it is. If I could pinpoint what it is exactly that I love about this song, I would. I think though, I’m going to have to say it is the lyrics. Not just how amazing they truly truly are- but how their voices together, just create a scene in the song that nothing else has ever done. I have no idea how I’m going to do this, but I have Baby Says on repeat to try to help me make sense of the words that I am about to write. (I need more tea!)
“Baby says she’s dying to meet you,
Take you off and make your blood hum,
And tremble like the fairground lights.”
I just love this, what a perfect way to open a song. Everyone knows how the band are influenced by the Velvet Underground. There’s a fine line between being influenced and straight up ripping off. This to me, just sounds like a perfect tribute to them. Jamie has said that the lyrics to this song are the ones he is the proudest of, and so he should be. They are just so bloody amazing. It reads like a poem. Even if you do not like The Kills, just read the lyrics to Baby Says and it will just come across as a beautiful and romantic piece of literature. There are two verses to this song that just make me shut my eyes and think “This is what euphoria feels like.” The first one is :
“Baby says a howl of romance I’ll get.
From all your sleeping dogs, you thugs of God,
I’ll get one yet.”
If I could tell you what this does to me and how it makes me feel, I would. It is one of those verses that makes you think, “Was this written for someone like me?” I have no idea who or what this song is about (I know Jamie sometimes dedicates it to his wife, Kate at gigs) but I like not knowing and being able to just create your own meaning. This is the kind of song that I hope, someone hears and it makes them want to start a band. I write songs, and I cannot play an instrument..but when I heard Baby Says, I took how I write songs in a different direction. However, I rarely show anyone what I write because it is a bit personal and..you know, I can handle someone saying “Oh Olivia..you really are a shit Music Writer.” But if someone read my songs and said something bad, I’d probably cry. You should never mock or belittle a persons feelings. Ever. Feelings are personal. They should never be toyed with, mocked or ignored.
The other verse that just sends me into an internal frenzy is :
“Baby says for all I’ve forsaken,
Make something of all the noise,
And the mess you’re making.
And all the time’s it’s taken.”
Blood Pressures just shows how much they have grown, in so many ways. For me, this verse is one of the best things The Kills have ever written. I love it so much. Favourite part for sure. What I take from this verse is that, no matter what you are doing- or trying to do, if you are creating chaos in the process, just turn it into something positive. You can ALWAYS do it. It doesn’t take something big to realise this, I found it in this song. I guess this song could be my crutch or something. I listen to it, and I just think, “Fuck it..I’m going to amount to something. I’ll make something out of this.” That’s probably not what the song is about, but that verse especially for me, just feels like that. Like I said earlier, and many times before- The Kills go beyond being a band to me. This song is a perfect path to escapism and growing. I’ve cried to this song, I’ve solved things to this song, I’ve gained confidence because of this song. Baby Says makes me feel like there is something. You cannot wait for something, you’ve got to go get it yourself.
If you are broken, play this song. It’ll fix you up real good. If you just want to feel part of something, feel this song. If you want to feel like you’ve got to where you want to be, listen to this song. If you feel like you haven’t quite got there yet, listen to this song and you’ll get there.
Things take time. Look at what The Kills have accomplished in their 10 years as a band. It is something that makes me honoured to be fan. Then I play this song, and I just..I don’t know. A lot of feelings are involved. It has everything I want in a song. Lyrics that just reach me to the core and make me feel okay with how things are.
Blood Pressures made 2011 worth seeing out. It wasn’t the best year, but it is one of the records that made every bad feeling worth living through. Baby Says is one of the few songs that I had playing over and over in my head when it all got too much. When a band can do that to you, nothing in the world can ever compare to it. Nor can anyone ever take it from you.
